Rattle - PALM SUNDAY: The Parade

On Palm Sunday Christians commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem, which announced his claim as the Messiah-King less than a week before his crucifixion. Jesus had changed the lives of his disciples and followers who now publicly proclaimed him. They laid their robes and palm branches on the route in front of him, and formed a giant parade that rattled the whole city. John’s Gospel records that as a result some Greeks (gentiles) were compelled to approach Philip with an awesome request, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” The Greeks didn’t know Jesus yet but knew that Philip knew him intimately as a disciple. When we draw near to God he draws near to us, and his life comes to our dry bones through his Spirit. This intimacy is important because the greatest gift you can give the world is your intimacy with God. When we are changed in the secret places of our hearts, that intimacy becomes evident to others. When you draw near to God, he draws others with you. They in turn join the parade that proclaims Jesus as Messiah-King.